Pakistan IDP crisis

Can we contact you later to ask your opinion about the publication you just downloaded?
If yes, please leave your email below. We will not use your information for any other purposes.

Email address

On 26 June 2014 we responded to a funding alert for the internally displaced persons (IDP) crisis in Pakistan.

BACKGROUND TO THE CRISIS

On 15 June 2014, the Pakistani Government launched a military operation in the northwestern tribal area of North Waziristan (NWA), FATA province, with the declared aim of eliminating Taliban and Al Qaeda strongholds. In particular, the offensive aims to remove Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and foreign and local militants from the region. The offensive was initiated in response to an attack on Karachi airport on 8 June, for which TTP and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) claimed responsibility. Stop-and-start negotiations between the government and the TTP have so far failed to result in a compromise.

On 26 June, the Pakistani army also began ground assaults, heightening the threat to civilians. The region has been targeted with shelling and air raids, and at least 456,000 people, including nearly 200,000 children (42%), fled ahead of or during the ground assaults. Around 360 militants have reportedly been killed. Priorities for humanitarian assistance in response to needs include protection, food, shelter, health, water, sanitation and hygiene.

A key challenge for aid agencies is access to the areas where the displaced are arriving, which has been exacerbated by security restrictions enforced by the government in accessing affected areas, and a heightened security risk for aid workers.

GHA AND THE START NETWORK

The GHA Programme is partnering with the START network to help to inform its funding allocation decisions. The START network is a consortium of British-based Humanitarian INGOs, which has recently launched its own fund to help fill funding gaps and enable rapid response to under-reported crises where need is great.

When the START members issue a funding alert, we produce (within 12 hours) a rapid overview of the humanitarian funding picture – recent funding, an overview of appeals and funds, and analysis of donor trends. The analysis is targeted not only at the START network but to a wider set of stakeholders engaged in these crises – including donors, humanitarian organisations, analysts, advocates, and citizens.